Portable container with deployable table

ABSTRACT

A storage container with an outer shell and an inner compartment. A table may be connected to the outer shell of the storage container and may include a deployed position and a retracted position. The deployed position may include the table protruding from the outer shell in a usable fashion. The storage container may further include extendable legs. The legs may be extended and adjusted to desired height. The present invention may further include a backpack in which the storage container may be transported and used.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/736,875, filed Dec. 13, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable container and, more particularly, to a portable container that may form into a table.

A toolbox (also called toolkit, tool chest or workbox) is a box to organize, carry, and protect the owner's tools. They could be used for trade, a hobby or DIY, and their contents vary with the craft of the owner. Frequently, while performing a job or hobby, it is desirable to have access to a flat surface or table. However, typically while performing a job or hobby, a user may be out in the field where a table or flat surface is not accessible.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device that may be used as a container and a table.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus comprises: a storage container comprising an outer shell having a top end, a bottom end, a front face, a rear face, a first side and a second side, wherein the storage container forms an inner compartment and an opening leading to the inner compartment; a table having a front end and a rear end, wherein the table is attached to the storage container, wherein the table comprises a deployed position and a retracted position, wherein the deployed position comprises the front end of the table protruding from and substantially perpendicular to the front face, and the retracted position comprises the front end adjacent to the storage container; and a plurality of extendable legs attached to the storage container.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a detail exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a section view of the present invention, taken along lin 505 of FIG. 4 illustrating the movement of the table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a section view of the present invention, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of the present invention, illustrating the telescoping of the legs of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a storage container with an outer shell and an inner compartment. A table may be connected to the outer shell of the storage container and may include a deployed position and a retracted position. The deployed position may include the table protruding from the outer shell in a usable fashion. The storage container may further include extendable legs. The legs may be extended and adjusted to desired height. The present invention may further include a backpack in which the storage container may be transported and used.

Referring to the FIGS. 1 through 8, the present invention may include a storage container 12, such as a tool box, a kit, a tackle box, and the like. The storage container 12 may include an outer shell having a top end, a bottom end, a front face, a rear face, a first side and a second side. The storage container 12 forms an inner compartment and an opening leading to the inner compartment. The present invention may further include a table 32 having a front end 30 and a rear end 38. The table 32 may be in a deployed position and a retracted position. The deployed position may include the front end 30 protruding from and substantially perpendicular to the front face of the storage container 12. The retracted position may include the front end 30 adjacent to the storage container 12. The present invention may further include a plurality of extendable legs 15.

In certain embodiments, the table 32 may be pivotally attached to the storage container 12 by a hinge 33. The table 32 may be pivotally attached to the storage container 12 below the opening. Therefore, the table 32 may cover the opening in the retracted position, and reveal the opening in the deployed position. In certain embodiments, the present invention may include storage bins 68. The storage bins 68 may be within the inner compartment of the storage container 12 and may be removable. The storage bins 68 may add additional compartments within the inner compartment. The table 32 may be pivoted from the retracted position to the deployed position to access the storage bins 68.

As mentioned above, the present invention may include a plurality of extendable legs 15 that are attached to the storage container 12. The plurality of extendable legs 15 may include a pair of side legs 15 attached to the first and second side, and a rear leg 15 attached to the rear face of the storage container 12. In certain embodiments, the extendable legs 15 may be telescoping. Therefore, the pair of side legs 15 may include a side upper leg section 14, a side middle leg section 16, and a side lower leg section 18. The rear leg 15 may include a rear upper leg section 20, a rear middle leg section 22, and a rear lower leg section 24. The sections may be compressed into one another and locked into an extended form by using leg compression locks 28 or any other locking device known in the art.

The storage container 12 of the present invention may further include side leg container slots 34 and a rear leg container slot 36. The side upper leg sections 14 may be connected within the side leg container slots 34 and the rear upper leg sections 20 may be connected within the rear leg container slot 36. In certain embodiments, the rear leg section 20 may be pivotally attached within the rear leg container slot 36. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rear upper leg section 20 may include leg pivot dimples 72. Leg pivot tabs 40 may protrude into the rear leg container slot 36 and may include pivot tab posts 70. The pivot tab posts 70 may fit within the dimples 72 and the rear leg 15 may be pivotally attached to the storage container 12. In certain embodiments, leg retaining tabs 42 may protrude into the rear leg container slot 36 and therefore prevent the rear leg 15 from pivoting. A user may pull the rear leg 15 through the leg retaining tabs 42 to pivot the rear leg 15. The legs 15 may be extended from the bottom end of the storage container 12 and may be used to support the storage container 12 on a surface. The legs 15 may further include feet 26 to further support the storage container 12. The legs 15 may create a tripod.

The present invention may further include a backpack 10 for easy portability of the storage container 12. The backpack 10 may include shoulder straps 66 and a top loop 64. The backpack 10 may include an outer surface that forms an inner housing within and an opening leading into the inner house. The storage container 12 may fit through the opening and within the inner housing. The backpack 10 of the present invention may further include a pocket flap 52 that may be partially releasably attached to the backpack 10 and may cover the opening. The pocket flap 52 may be releasably attachable to the backpack 10 by a zipper 54.

In certain embodiments, the pocket flap 52 may be opened to access the table 32 of the storage container 12. Therefore, a user may unzip the zipper 54 to reveal the storage container 12, and then the table 32 may be pivoted to the deployed position. In certain embodiments, the backpack 10 may include a plurality of pocket straps 56. The pocket straps 56 may have a first end attached to the backpack 10 and a second end that is attached to the pocket flap 52. Therefore, when a user pivots the table 32 to the deployed position, the pocket flap 52 may provide further resistance to the table 32, preventing the table 32 from pivoting past a substantially perpendicular position relative to the front face of the storage container 12.

In certain embodiments, the backpack 10 of the present invention may further include first and second side leg slots 44 and a rear leg backpack slot 46. The first and second side leg slots 44 may align with the pair of side legs. Therefore, when the storage container 12 is within the backpack 10, the extendable legs 15 may extend through the side leg slots 44 and may be used. The rear leg backpack slot 46 may expose the rear leg container slot 36. Therefore, when the storage container 12 is within the backpack 10, a user may pivot and deploy the rear leg 15. Due to the additional slots within the backpack 10, the legs 15 may be extended into a tripod formation with the storage container 12 within the backpack 10.

The backpack 10 and the storage container 12 may include additional accessory components. For example, the storage container 12 may have a recessed top end forming a cooler 43. The cooler 43 may include insulating material, such as Styrofoam®. The backpack 10 may further include a cooler pocket flap 48 that is at least partially releasably attachable to the backpack 10. For example, a zipper 50 may be used to detach a portion of the cooler pocket flap 48 so that a user may gain access to the cooler 43. The cooler 43 may be used to store bait, food, drinks or any other products that need to be temperature regulated. The backpack 10 may further include lower side pockets 58 with zippers 60 and upper side pockets 62 so that users may store additional accessories needed.

The storage container 10 of the present invention may include a plastic molded box with the following dimensions: 11″H×11″W×7.25″D. The storage container 10 may include an opening to allow removable storage bins 68 to fit inside the opening in a stacked position. The opening may include a door/table 32 that opens in to an expanded position and sets at around a 90 degree angle to be used as a table 32. The legs 15 may adjust so that the table 32 is level on all terrain. The molded box also has one removable leg 15 on each side (left and right) and one leg 15 on the back. The leg 15 on back is able to pull away from the bottom at a zero to 90 degrees and extend and retract. All legs 15 are able to be easily removed if replacement is necessary. The entire storage container 12 fits inside of a backpack 10. The top of the storage container 12 may turn into a cooler to prevent food and/or bait from spoiling. All of the above may come in a single unit for easy carrying.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. A user may extend the legs, adjusting each to the proper height and unzip the backpack, folding down the table, allowing it to fall open in order to work just about anywhere a user would want. The present invention may be used for many activities, such as fishing tackle, fishing near a shore or in a river, photography equipment and supplies for indoor/outdoor, pistol shooting equipment and supplies for indoors/outdoors, electronic equipment and supplies for indoors/outdoors, and any parts, tools, or supplies.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a storage container comprising an outer shell having a top end, a bottom end, a front face, a rear face, a first side and a second side, wherein the storage container forms an inner compartment and an opening leading to the inner compartment; a table having a front end and a rear end, wherein the table is attached to the storage container, wherein the table comprises a deployed position and a retracted position, wherein the deployed position comprises the front end of the table protruding from and substantially perpendicular to the front face, and the retracted position comprises the front end adjacent to the storage container; and a plurality of extendable legs attached to the storage container.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising removable storage bins within the inner compartment of the outer shell.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rear end of the table is pivotally attached to the storage container and the table is covering the opening in the retracted position.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein plurality of extendable legs comprise a pair of side legs attached to the first and second side, and a rear leg attached to the rear face.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of extendable legs are telescoping legs.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the rear leg is pivotally attached to the rear face near the top end of the storage container.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the storage container further comprises a rear leg container slot, wherein the rear leg is housed within the rear leg container slot.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising leg retaining tabs protruding into the rear leg slot housing.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the storage container further comprises a pair of side leg container slots, wherein the pair of side legs are housed within the pair of side leg container slots.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a backpack comprising: an outer surface forming an inner housing within and an opening leading to the inner housing, wherein the storage container is formed to fit through the opening and into the inner housing; a pocket flap that is at least partially releasably attachable to the backpack, wherein the pocket flap covers the opening; a first side leg slot and a second side leg slot through the outer surface of the backpack, wherein the first side leg slot and the second side leg slot align with the pair of side legs; and a rear leg backpack slot through the outer surface of the backpack aligning with the rear leg container slot of the storage container.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the top end of the storage container comprises a cooler.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the backpack further comprises a cooler pocket flap that is at least partially releasably attachable to the backpack covering the cooler.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of pockets attached to the outer surface of the backpack.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of pocket straps having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the backpack and the second end is attached to the pocket flap. 